MP didn’t repay £27 expenses claim

Michael Meacher

MICHAEL Meacher failed to repay expenses he had claimed for a mere £27, records have revealed.

The Oldham West and Royton MP was among 26 MPs who failed last year to settle sums of up to £500, forcing them to be written off.

The list was published by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, which asked for repayment of disallowed claims several times and warned the MPS he would be named and shamed

The Commons watchdog said Mr Meacher owed £27 for constituency telephone claims that were either outside the rules or lacking evidence.

Mr Meacher said: “I received two telephone bills, which had two late payments totalling £27. These were original bills, so I paid the bill and assumed I didn’t pay the £27. I didn’t understand why a late payment was on an original bill as it was not a reminder.

“IPSA is listing the cost as outside the rules or with a lack of evidence, but that is not the case. I am angry they added this late payment to my bill and will be contacting the telephone provider.”

David Cameron ordered three ministers to repay money afte the list was published.

MPs expenses and office costs for 2014-15 have risen 1.6 per cent to nearly £106 million — the slowest rise in recent years.